Border Wars-Journal 15

In reply to Morgan Willis thoughts on “The Border Patrol State.”  In response to "The Border Patrol State" by Leslie Marmon Silko, there were some things I could definitely side with her on, but then there were other perspectives that I disagreed with her on. I agree whole-heartedly with what Morgan says here. I believe that Silko is trying to make the point that there is biases amongst the Mexican American border but by doing so she only shows one half of the very controversial debate.

Of course, I had sympathy with her for the fact that since she is an Arizona citizen, it seems ridiculous and quite frustrating that she has to be stopped on the road, questioned about her legality, and interrogated to make her feel like some sort of criminal. Being born in Mesa, Arizona, a suburb twenty minutes east of Phoenix and as a former student of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona I completely understood how annoyed she was that even with proof of ID she was mistrusted. However, knowing the history of Arizona I was compelled to agree with the border patrol to pull her over but not in the manner they handled the case.  I can only imagine how frustrated I would be to be an American citizen and be questioned of my intent or nationality when I knew true to myself that I was a legal United States citizen. It would upset me very much to be untrusted and violated by border patrol men who pursued looking in my car and searching me with a dog. I am white college student and have been pulled over by border patrol a few times. Silko describes the border patrol for pulling them over with no “just” cause. But when you are traveling at night you have to expect to be pulled over. When I was moving my belongings from Tucson to Fort Worth I was stopped on the East I-10 to El Paso and the dog sniffed the car. I was annoyed that I knew I did not have any illegal drugs but I understand that they pulled me over because the car was packed and the border has become very dangerous. I too was insulted that they wouldn’t believe that I was a college student just trying to move my belongings into another state.

On the other hand, although, being a white American citizen who was born and raised in Texas, I am very much so supportive on the border patrol process. I agree with Morgan on this point. Although I have not seen the impact of illegal migrants in Texas, Tucson culture and livlihood has changed drastically from the boder patrol process.Living so close to the Mexico border, and knowing there are many hispanic immigrants who try to enter the United States illegally with bad intentions as to be involved with drugs or cause harm or danger through crimes in my country, I definitely feel a sense of security from there being strict border patrol and feel that it is a necessary evil in order to run a successful and safe country. I disagree with this statement. As Silko states, Tucson in a hour drive from the border. Many Americans believe that all Mexican immigrants are coming to America to see drugs and increase crime in our country. While this is true this is not the complete story. Many Mexicans from Sonora are coming to America because they are being mass murdered. As Silko states “a mass migration is already under way; its roots are not simply economic. Border patrol is in place to do perform two tasks: keep druglords out of the country and make sure that people are not entering illegally. I know there are many immigrants coming into America with good intentions, but there are also many who do not have good intentions. After the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001, I feel all Americans are sketchy with immigrants of other nationalities and feel it is only fair and safe to keep strict laws on entering the country, whether it be at the airport, or on highways in states that border Mexico. As Silko states, she felt like she was going to be murdered and forgot about like in the Argentinean “Dirty War” this is an accurate comparison. I too have felt a fear that I was going to be killed, but I agree with Morgan that our sense of security has been compromised and there have been drastic measures to ensure our safety.  It is the only way to be fair to everyone immigrating and the only way to be fair to Americans who just want to feel safe in their home states and not feel like dangerous people are crossing over the border care free with bad intentions. I agree with Morgan, although I can emphasize with Silko’s point that “as proud citizens, we grew up believing the freedom to travel was our inalienable right,” the point that sticks out is citizens. Border patrol is looking for people who are not citizens and if pulling people over that look conspicuous, including myself, ensure that we only have citizens in the country I have to disagree with Silko’s argument.

What Would You Carry? Journal 14

     In the excerpt from “The Things They Carried,” Tim O’Brien makes a point to say that the things that soldiers carried were divided into different sections: physical necessities, personal necessities, war emotions and personal emotions. If I were a soldier in Jimmy Cross’s unit I believe that I would divide the things I carried in a similar fashion. I would carry food rations, medications for known diseases, protective clothing to deal with the tropical climate, and weapons for protection. These are the basic items that come to my mind when I think of war because each is crucial and vital for the chance to survive will in Vietnam. However, I think that the most important physical necessity I would bring is a journal. I would bring a journal, not because I enjoy writing, but if I was able to express my thoughts on paper maybe I would not have to carry the emotional toll the soldiers and Lieutenant Cross carry around after Ted Lavender dies. I think that a journal would also give me the time to daydream about happier times and events so that I would be able to focus on survival when I was out in the field. In the excerpt Cross says, “they shared the weight of their memories.” I think that they had to share their memories because they were too horrific to keep bottled in their minds. During the war, the soldiers depended on themselves to stay sane and cope with all their emotions; likewise a journal would have been a healthy way for the soldiers to deal with all the pain and horror they witnessed on a daily basis. Finally Cross says, “imagination was killer.” I believe that by keeping yourself occupied would not allow your mind to wander and by doing so you would not be able to come up with the numerous ways you could end up being killed or awful events that you were likely to witness while you were at war.

Extra Credit Blog

      After the Revolutionary War, the United States felt entitled to expand westward. As they had finally be relieved of life under the British crown, it was time to make a name for themselves and acquire power and colonies; in order to accomplish this they followed the steps of British Empire and created the American Empire. Starting first with the Native Americans, they pushed them westward in order to expand “white civilization.” As seen in the readings about Hawaii the same steps to acquiring the new “state” were seen in the removal of the Native Americans. Imperialism works when there is a common belief to conquer territories because the people they are moving need saving. In the case of the Native Americans and the Hawaiians, they needed saving from becoming more savage and uncivilized. Throughout my history classes, I have always been taught that Americans only moved westward because the land was rightfully theirs or that the people that they took control over desperately needed their help because their government system was failing. In contrast to the popular belief, the Hawaiian government seemed to be a well-oiled machine, the royal family appeared to be loved by the citizens. People were respected and appreciated and there was a mutual trust between the royals and Hawaiians. Secondly, imperialism has always been portrayed as something positive and something that all Americans were aware of. In the Queen’s narrative she states “Thus, understanding perfectly the kind of men sent one after another by the so-called Republic of Hawaii to Washington, I was easily able to separate truth from falsehood in the accounts inspired by the missionary party, published by them or their agents in Honolulu, written from thence to the press in America, or invented by enterprising scribblers for the purpose of deceiving the American public.” I had always thought that Americans supported the expansion westward, but it appears that it was a few greedy state officials who wanted more power and wealth. Personally, I found it very intriguing that a country based on the principles of honor, justice, equality and acceptance has achieved these idealistic goals through a dark and deceptive past. Although we are very lucky to live in a country where we are free to act as we see acceptable, it is interesting that we only have these rights through acquiring new territories and embracing the dark side of imperialism. Very ironic that in order for us to produce the light we need the dark.

Journal 13- Indian Girl and the American Dream

Zitkala-Sa or Red Bird’s story is not completely unique. The American Dream, or the fire in your soul to become on top, the absolute best is something that has inspired Americans from the settlements in Plymouth Rock to modern times. In Red Bird’s story it is hard to see how she is able to accomplish the American dream at first but as she matures and realizes that power in her voice she knows that success and the Dream is in her reach. Her years at White’s Manual Labor Institute encourage the pursuit for the American Dream; although they push her further away from her humble beginnings and Indian traditions, they light a spark in her to show the world the Sioux Indians in an artistic manner. I believe that they do this because they try to de-Sioux her. They cut her hair and require her to learn American customs and manners. But because of this she decides to enter college against the blessing of her mother. This is important to reaching the American Dream because she states that she had always been respectful of her mother and now was doing something for herself. When she enters an orator’s competition in college she realizes that she wants what Americans want; success and glory. She says “the little taste of victory did not satisfy a hunger in my heart. In my mind I saw my mother far away of the Western Plains, and she was holding a charge against me.” The first part of the sentence “taste of victory” is common amongst all dreams. I believe that this is the first time that Zitkala-Sa realizes that she is more than just a Sioux Indian but that she is talented and that people want to hear her story. This inspires her to pursue teaching and trying to make the native traditions artistic so that white men and women can understand her heritage. I believe that this sentence is her first glimpse at what the future holds for her and that she wants to push forward even if it means going against her mother. The second part of this sentence “holding a charge against me.” In her mother’s generation and the Indians before her all saw the “white man’s education and power” negatively. The white men had pushed them away from their native grounds and had tried to put an end to the cultural traditions. Her mother does not understand how something so American or white can be something positive in her daughters’ life. I believe that Zitkala-Sa thinks her mother is disappointed because she associates this dream with destruction and greed. But Zitkala-Sa wants to use the American Dream to bring cultural awareness within her own community and to the white people who she originally thought to be a “cold race whose hearts were frozen with prejudice.” 

Journal 11 Hawaii's Queen

“Perhaps there is a kind of right, depending upon the precedents of all ages, and known as the “Rights of Conquest” under which robbers and marauders may establish themselves in possession of whatsoever they are strong enough to ravish from their fellows. I will not pretend to decide how far civilization and Christian enlightenment have outlawed it. But we have known for many years that out Island monarchy has relied upon the protection always extended to us by the policy and assured friendship of the American republic.” Imperialism is the thought process of any given nation to expand; these nations believe that they have the right to acquire and gain control of foreign areas and essentially these nations believed that by taking over a mass of land they were saving them and making them a stronger land. The Queen states “Rights of Conquest,” in her speech, which I interpret as if we, Americans, have a right to explore and conquest is the idea of manifest destiny ever actually achieved? Apparently no, the United States has a greedy hand and no matter what nothing will ever satisfy. Finally she says, “assured friendship,” throughout history the United States has been known to deceive people by first offering a hand of help but this hand eventually becomes greedy and thus we feel like we are meant to take control because we have been such good friends.  The Hawaiians feel betrayed because they trusted America to take care of them and are confused why we see the country as a financial gain and not as a sovereign government. 

What Does Being an American Mean

In our first writing assignment of the semester we read a poem written by Langston Hughes. He cried out against the racial prejudice he received because he was a black man. The words that come to mind are “one day they will see how beautiful I am and be ashamed.” He wrote this in response to the lack of respect and how inhumane and cruel white people were to blacks. My perplexing question is again “who is an American?” As we have gone through the class, we have learned about the struggles and difficulties different groups of people went through in American history. We have learned that all these groups are technically American because we live in a melting pot society. However, after the civil war, many African Americans were still judged and tortured based on their skin color. After reading “As the Lord Lives, He Is One of Our Mother’s Children” and the poems of McKay two things significantly stuck out to me. First in McKay’s poem “America” he states “Although she feeds me bread of bitterness and sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love the cultured hell that test my youth.” I believe that this relates to the idea of what is an American, because although African Americans have not been completely accepted into white society, it shows that they are still committed. This also made me think of the concept that Americans will be ashamed of their actions. Reflecting back on our treatment of African Americans in modern times, it is embarrassing to think that we would condemn a group of people based on skin color. Especially since I believe an American is combining all the heritages that fought to become a citizen in our nation. I believe America should be, for the most part, all-inclusive for those who want to be apart of it. Finally in Hopkin’s story, Stone admits that he is under investigation for murder and that he will be killed if the Reverend decides to turn him in, even though he has repeatedly spoke of his innocence in the matter. This is unique and important in two aspects. First, this shows that some Americans are trying to change. It does not matter if you are black, white, mixed racial background. Fifteen hundred dollars was a small fortune back then and it would have been easy for the Reverend to have not listened to Stone and cashed in the reward. Instead he allows him to stay until the danger is passed. I feel like this shows that American society was starting to change and not jump to the first conclusion as had happened in Colorado. Second, I believe that this is a change in what an American is. I do not feel like the town was judging African Americans because it shows that they were horrified when people were beaten within an inch of their life. I think it is important again to reflect on what an American is at this point in time and see how over time it has changed and become more flexible; this in turn has allowed us to create an all-inclusive society.

#10-An Aha! Comparison

In response to Catherine R.’s blog. When I first read “The Wife of His Youth” and “Learning to Read,” I thought that they had nothing in common. After I had read  “The Wife of His Youth” and “Learning to Read,” I had the same though process. I thought that they were very good personifications of what life would have been like immediately after the war. Such as taking advantage of education or trying to be connected with love ones once again; but I did not see the overall picture. However, after thinking about the characters of both pieces, I had an Aha! Moment when I realized that they have more in common than I originally had thought. The “Aha! Moment!” is important to readers because it makes us think about the point the writers are trying to convey to their readers. Charles W. Chesnutt does not write a beautiful short fiction story to show us his writing style; as soon as I realized this, I was able to understand why Chesnutt and Harper wrote about the reconstruction era from the “black” point of view.

Both works tell the stories of slave women who had a goal that they wanted to accomplish. Even when others commented on their age or the low likelihood that they would accomplish their goal, they both continued to press on and eventually reach their desired goals. Chloe from “Learning to Read” wants to learn to read, especially so that she can read the Bible. “Folks just shook their heads” and told her that she was “too late,” but she didn’t give up until she was able to read the Bible and hymns. Another ‘goal’ that she was able to accomplish was the sense of independence that she felt after she had learned to read and procured a house of her own. I disagree with Catherine on this partially. I believe that both of the women wanted to have a sense of independence and self-reliance. This is clear in “Learning to Read,” when Aunt Chloe says “and I felt as independent as the queen upon her throne.” Similarly, we see this in “The Wife of His Youth” not through the old woman but through Mr. Ryder. I believe that independence was a huge part in the emancipation of slaves. For the first time in their lives slaves were counted as a whole person. Not two thirds as previously. Independence was a way for slaves to live by their own social standards and own values instead of being obedient to the white supremacy of the country. I believe that Mr. Ryder feels liberated by emancipation and is why he was content for being alone and independent for so long. It is not until he sees Miss Dixon that he even considers marriage again.

The Chloe character of “The Wife of His Youth” is ‘Liza Jane. ‘Liza is a freed slave woman who has been searching for her husband for twenty-five years. She comes to Mr. Ryder, who she has been told knows most everyone in the area, to ask if he has heard of her husband, Sam Taylor. Mr. Ryder responds by reminding her that her husband my have died or she might not even recognize him because of the large amount of time that has passed since they’ve last seen one another. ‘Liza is still convinced that neither of these is true, and she is determined to find him. While the story does not say so explicitly at this point, it is implied that Mr. Ryder is the husband that she has been searching for, and this is confirmed at the very end of the story. I think that this is an interesting point of view. I had not thought about the similarities that the freed slave woman “Liza” and Chloe may have had. I think that this is an interesting find between the two readings because I think that this shows the changes that the war had taken on emancipation of slaves. Physically, I believe that the women described in the story are the same and emotionally I believe that they each have a desire to be filled, but this is where they differ. Chloe believes that knowledge will set her free “knowledge didn’t agree with slavery” and Liza believes that knowing about her husband will set her free. Although Liza does not recognize Mr. Ryder as her husband, I think it is important that the reader sees this because it shows that they war signified the end of one chapter and beginning of another. For Mr. Ryder, being associated with the Blue Vein society, and becoming a respectable member of society was the beginning of the next chapter and for Liza finding her husband was the end of her chapter.

Both of these stories are examples of the strong determination that many African Americans, slaves and free alike, were required to have during this time period. Strength and perseverance are the perfect words to describe reconstruction era. Especially for African Americans; both women show extreme determination to find and fulfill what slavery limited them. Although it was difficult (learning to read at an old age, and finding her husband) both women persevered and found what they were looking for. Even though these works did not appear to be similar, a closer look revealed that the woman character from each displayed a quiet determination that can be admired even today. All in all, I believe these works show us that even though the reconstruction period is thought of, historically, sad and negative, some happy endings were able to come out of a difficult period of history.

Catherine's response is in black and italicized and my response is in red.  

Justice: To Each Its Own

             The idea of what constitutes justness played a major role in the events leading up to the Civil War. All people living in the United States saw what was fair and just differently depending on if the state was considered free or a slave state. With two majorly conflicting viewpoints it was inevitable for a major clash to occur, but it is interesting to see how “justness” is used to defend both a Northerner and Southerners’ viewpoint. In John Brown’s final speech he states “Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I say let it be done.” I believe that in this time period this was a very bold statement. Essentially, in Brown’s last words he does not apologize for the many lives he and his followers took at Harper’s Ferry, but see it as an opportunity to further continue the abolitionist cause and bring freedom and justice to all enslaved peoples. His statement is also strange, because his attack on Harper’s Ferry is considered to be one of the most heinous crimes and greatest battles of bloodshed leading up to the war and yet he has absolutely no remorse. He defends his actions by stating that he did not kill out of malice or evil temptations but it was from the justness and fairness that he believes God intends all Americans to have.

            In contrast, Jefferson Davis, defends the succession of the confederate states from the Northern states as fair and just because they were encroaching on the rights of southerners and the government was no longer looking out for their best interest. “The declared purposes of the compact of Union from which we have withdrawn were to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, to provide for the common defense, to promote the general welfare and to secure the blessing of liberty for ourselves and our prosperity; and when in the judgment of the sovereign States now compromising this Confederacy it had perverted from the purposes for which it was ordained […] it should cease to exist.” In this speech I believe that a Southerner would greatly agree with Davis. The government is set two enforce the laws and customs of the states; however they felt as though the government was hurting them because they were trying to eliminate the southern livelihood, which was based upon the slaves working the plantations. Second, Davis defends the succession because by staying “united” would not establish justice for the plantation owners or promote the general welfare, as they would be out of the job. Overall, it is interesting how justice is a term that can be so socially formed. Additionally, it is interesting that one of the main contributing factors to the Civil War were fighting for justice and the interest of different states. 

Journal 7 Response to Peer Blog

            In response to Mimi Heald’s blog on Frances E. W. Harper’s poem “The Slave Mother.” The Imagery in Frances Harper's "The Slave mother" is extremely vivid, and the reader is able to easily see this because in every short stanza Harper makes sure that there is an image of something relating to an nonbiological slave mother and her son. Harper uses imagery to appeal to the readers’ pathos. As Mimi states “a non-biological mother” it is clear that this is a form of dehumanizing slaves, and immediately sets a scene of unhappiness and unjustness. It is annotated at the bottom of the page that depending on if you were born free or not dictated if you were considered free. I believe this imagery appeals to our pathos because it is emotionally compelling. For any slave mother, not being able to claim kinship with your son “He is not hers, although she bore” is emotionally draining for non-freed blacks. Harper’s message throughout her poem is to fight for the abolitionist cause and create a realm of realism about the hardships of slavery. I agree with Mimi that her stanzas are short and concise to make strengthen her impact. For example, Harper describes a mother trying to hide her son under her dress because he is trembling in terror clinging to her for safety. "Her boy clings to her side, And in her kirlte vainly tries, His trembling form to hide". Harper uses this stanza to describe a scared child because everyone can relate to that kind of fear, and has felt it not only as a child but in their adult lives as well. As an abolitionist writer who is trying to persuade the audience, she makes a smart choice to use this imagery because it allows the audience to grasp how fearful the child is, which obviously has something to do with him being a slave. Mimi makes a strong point saying that the child’s fear stems directly from being a slave. However, I also believe that Harper uses this imagery to further explain her first stanza “it seemed as if a burden’s heart was breaking in despair.” I think that Harper uses the child to show that slavery affect all ages. Additionally, I think she uses the child to explore the possibility that slaves were never safe. The hear breaking in despair could signify that the mother and son were about to be separated. I believe that the fear of not knowing what will happen in the future and losing your mother, or protector, is what really makes the fear relatable. Once more Harper appeals to our pathos. Also, at the beginning of the poem there is a stanza in which Harper describes the slave mother in grief who is praying "Saw you those hands so sadly clasped-- The bowed and feeble head-- The shuddering of that fragile form-- That look of grief and dread?" Harper uses this imagery well and it allows the reader to feel the sadness of a poor mother praying for her child. This is good imagery as well because all mothers (black or white) are always concerned about their children and it is natural that a white mother who is reading this would be able to relate to a slave mother who feels sadness and love for their children. This stanza also, I believe is used, to convince her slave holding audience because even though slaves do not have rights, does not mean that they do not possess emotion. I believe Harper wants people to think further about the similarities and characteristics that whites and blacks and slaves have.  This hopefully was able to give a strong impact on white mothers during the time of publishing because it allowed white women to realize the pain and dread that so many slave mothers went through during slavery--even children that weren't biologically related! Also, Harper's explanation of this slaves love for her child also show all whites the aspect that slaves WERE human and were capable of having feelings of love and sorrow and all other emotions. Finally I believe that Harper wrote this poem to show that the slave mothers were mothers, regardless of their color. “She is a mother, and her heart is breaking in despair.” I believe that it was intelligent in appealing to a mother’s ethos because no matter where you live, a mother’s love was the same regardless if they were from the north or south. Additionally, using children in her poem makes slavery seem crueler. At this time, the importance of children began to change. They were considered to be fragile and young and needing protection. Because slavery is affecting this child first hand, I believe that it compels Harper’s audience to see the unjust of slavery and that slavery affected enslaved blacks of all age. 

(My response and other thoughts are red, and Mimi's blog is black and italicized)

Chapter 10

Jacobs’ intended audience was intended to be women. I believe that she wrote to women because they more easily empathized with her and by empathizing could understand that this is embarrassing and something difficult for her to express. I believe that she thought white women would empathize because for northern women, although they were not forced into slavery, did not have rights as citizens of countries, additionally, I think southern women may empathize with the story because of what Dr. Flint’s wife had to go through. Her tone and language in chapter ten describes her dilemma and dictates her actions. At the time she was only a teenager and she felt obligated and had no choices in what would happen in her future. She uses a melancholy and frustrated tone telling us as readers that she felt trapped under the wrath of the Flint family and that she had nobody who understood her. “I wanted to confess to her that I was no longer worth of her love; but I could not utter the dreaded words.” I think this quote exemplifies that she is stuck. I do not believe that Jacobs’ knew how to protect herself. Whites had so much power in the south that she was stuck between please Dr. Flint and his wife. She was afraid to please one or the other because both acts were shameful. She was afraid of being killed or losing her family, so she did her best to follow Dr. Flint’s degrading and forceful sex and acts and stay as far away from his wife to live.

Because you can feel and see the pain that Jacobs’ goes through I believe that women understood and felt her torment and torture that slavery put her through. I think this allows us to see slavery as not only sad but lonely. Even though slaves worked with other slaves and looked out for each other as best they could, at the end of the day women were left to fen for themselves. When Jacobs’ grandmother forsakes her, she had no place to turn. I feel like this also related to women, because for example women’s rights advocates often had nobody to relate to or confide in. Not everyone wanted women’s rights and like Jacobs’ women were sometimes left alone and did not have anyone to confide in. 

Class and Slaves

During the slavery era social class dictated the respect and rights you had as a person. This not only pertained to the slaves on a given plantation, but to everyone living in the Southern states. Social class indicates wealth, intelligence, and most importantly respect within the community. Because Jacobs’ was born into slavery and her lover and grandmother were never able to buy her out the lifestyle she was considered to be the lowest type of person on the totem pole. It affects her choices because it dictates the ways of communication between who has power and who is powerless. Who is respected and who is ignored. Who has freedom and privilege and who is considered property? Jacobs’ starts off saying that the original owner promised that they would be taken care of and that they would not face the cruelties of the world. Secondly, social class affects the way that Dr. Flint’s treats the slaves because they are his property. Also, it makes Linda fearful of Dr. Flint’s wife and Dr. Flint. She knows that in her society owners have the power to control her life. “No one of her children escaped the auction block.” Although this quote does not reflect what happened to Linda, it shows that slave families were fearful of white slave owners because they had the power to tear apart families.

In her autobiography, Harriet Jacobs’ social class affects the way that her master treats her, Northerners, Southern neighbors and emancipated or free blacks. Jacobs’ or Linda is born into slavery without really knowing what it was, but as she gets older she realizes that she is a piece of property and because she is property, she has no rights to her mind, body, or soul. Ultimately, her lack of rights contributes to her failures as a young woman but additionally allows her to fight for her freedom. 

“Linda” is caught between three worlds while she lives in the slavery of the Southern states. I believe she has three worlds because there are blacks, mulattos, and whites. Depending on the group she is viewed differently and economics come into play. First, two people try to buy Linda. Her first lover asks Dr. Flint if he could pay for her but he does not allow it. Even though they are both black, I believe that there is a separation between them because he is able to earn wages for her work and she is not. Even though he does not look down upon her or treat her as property, he still has more economic power and thus more power in the relationship. And even she longs to become free and be okay with being black but I think she knows that being black means you are not free and that even if you have been emancipated you are looked down as being the lowest caste within American society. This is shown because although both her lover and grandmother were able to pay for, they do not have to power or persuasion to allow her to become free. Even once Jacobs’ is able to escape to the north where slavery is not tolerated, she still works for a white family with low wages. Even though they pay for her emancipation, it takes them a while to emancipate her. I believe that this is an example about how class plays a role in the slavery system because they were clearly of high status for the wife not to have to work and to be able to pay for work, yet they did not immediately free her. Overall, I think her story makes me think that even in the North, you may be respected and have tolerance, but you were not completely accepted into the white society.

Point of View

After reading the biography on Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, her short story "The Tenth of January," is put into much more context which allows the reader to understand the historical elements of the time and how they affect the writers point of view. Because the story is told from a third person point of view we are able to understand the hardships that Asenath and Del endure while being factory workers. Not only the hardships and the long hours that they work but also romantically. The girls dream of making a better life for themselves with a dutiful husband and an honest days work. However, because Asenath or Sene is a cripple she believes that she will never belong and that nobody will ever love her or see her as beautiful as Del. However, none of this is important once the tragedy at the mill happens. However, I think it is important that the point of view is not either Asenath or Del because we are better able to see their work conditions and daily struggles. Marriage was a very important issue for girls in the 1850s. Since women still had few to no rights, legally and socially, they needed to be married to use their husbands voice and to make sure that they were taken care of. We would not have been able to see Asenath accept her disability and see her budding romance with Dick had she wrote the story. Lastly, we would not have been able to understand and see her act of heroism to save Del's life. Asenath had everything to live for, a recent engagement, an acceptance to being labeled crippled, and a resolved issue with her father. However, I believe that she had come to accept who she was and knew that Del had not. Although she knew she did not want to die, she sacrificed herself because she I think that she knew that she was a strong enough person to endure a tragic and painful death. Lastly, I believe that Phelps wrote in a third person point of view because she is able to bring up the idea of social inequality and the conditions that women were forced to work in. The contractors knew that the work environment was not safe, but at the time there was nobody around to stand up for women or laws that would protect them, so they were forced to work long, laborious hours of go without a job.

The American Women

In Irving's "The Wife," I believe that he describes the wife in the American household as stability. No matter what a man does, whether good or bad, she is dependable and will stand by him. In the story, the man is scared to tell his wife about the misfortunes that she would judge him or not love him or no longer feel secure in her decision of marriage. But opposite to what he believes she embraces him and does not feel wronged by him. I think this suggests that American values are rooted in the idea that even if you do something wrong confronting your problems and finding the best way to deal with them will eventually lead you back to a path of happiness. I think this also says volumes about the American women. When they first settle in the colonies the women, although performing domestic jobs, learns that she needs to be stronger and less sensitive. She takes the front of all emotional problems that her children or the men in her life have. She allows them to confront her and essentially she alleviates any stress that could be there. I think that even in modern day America the rules still apply. I think that the wife is the foundation of the house and even though storms may pass through and bad things may happen, she is able to stand strong and confident. I believe because wives in the American colonies were able to wear such a strong face that it gave the men courage to survive and to carry on.

A Distorted History-The Importance of Print

When Columbus first crossed the Atlantic and arrived into the "New World" he reported back to Spain and essentially all of Europe boasting about the magnificent wonders, and opportunities the "New World" would have to offer. Such as raw materials, a labor source, and gold. During the 1500s the technology to mass produce the letter was not yet possible so they wrote handwritten copies and that is how Europe received news. Print played a vital role in fueling the eagerness to discover and claim the "New World." Even after the settlers had made their voyage across and had become more accustomed to the land print still played a vital role in the Revolution, encouraging education and literacy and the "survival or republican values." Print in the late 1700s allowed the colonists to unite and rally under a cause, create a national identity and create the values and principles that we still believe America to stand by. For example after the series of taxes the British had placed upon the colonist to repay the debt of the French and Indian war, Americans were enraged and in order to unite behind "no taxation without representation," people created political pamphlets saying that they would no longer take the abuse from the British. Benjamin Franklin's famous political cartoon of the chopped up snake saying join or die immediately comes to mind. If the colonist had not of united and fought against the British they would have each been severed from one another and easily been concurred, but with print colonist were able to send letters and mass disperse cartoons and pamphlets to make everyone aware of situations. Because communication was so dependent on reading the pamphlets literacy rates in the colonies was significantly higher than their counterparts in Western Europe which in turn made education a goal in the colonies. All in all, print was the start to creating the America we have today.

Who Is an American? Response to Class 8/23/11

             Originally I defined an “American” as someone who has the freedom to determine their destiny, someone who is hopeful of a better tomorrow, someone who is inclusive, a melting pot, and who is equal with every other person in the country. Americans have an unlimited amount of power to chose what they do and do not want in their lives and we have more opportunities than people in other countries could even dream of, and that is why so many people want to come here. After this assignment, my ideas of an “American” have been challenged and essentially changed. First, I never realized how restricted the freedom minorities face. In the past women and blacks did not have rights, but in the twentieth century we have no restrictions or prejudice. In the poem by Langston Hughes “I, Too, Sing America,” he states, “ They’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed. I, too, am America.” He wrote this poem as a response to the inequalities that blacks and whites in the ‘40s but it still applies today. He challenges the idea that America is inclusive or a melting pot. This made me think about how even though I thought I was open to new people coming into the country, every time the news says something about how more and more Mexicans cross the border illegally, I cannot help but feel disgusted and upset that they would try to become “Americans”.  Then when I thought about Hughes words “and be ashamed, I, too, am America” I know that I should be ashamed because all they want is to try and create a better life. I know that we cannot be a refuge to all incoming people, but the reason America came to be was to have equality and new opportunity. If we deny the rights of new minorities and the new opportunities to people who want to become an “American” how can we say that our country is founded upon freedom, hope, and equality?